A Large Number Of Syrian Orthodox Families Establish An Independent Syrian Orthodox Church

kenshrin.com , den 24 januari 2006

News A Large Number Of Syrian Orthodox Families In California Break Away From The Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate Of Antioch And Establish An Independent Syrian Orthodox Church Not Connected With Any Religious AuthorityAn Open Letter To His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I IwasHis Holiness the exalted Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and the Entire East and the Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the world.We solicit your blessing and prayer and say:Three and half years passed since the crisis in the Archdiocese of the Western United States erupted. Ever since it erupted, this crisis has been crushing souls, tearing apart and dismembering the body of the Church,...

We are aware of the unfortunate dissension at St. Ephrem's Syrian Orthodox Church during the past 3 years. We have seen outbursts from one side such as the HIS-Storians of Orthodox Faction of Malankara cites in their forum earlier. We had understood that a settlement was being negotiated. Perhaps the negotiation has entered a stalemate and one party appears to be posturing against the hierarchy through messages on the internet. The Western Archdiocese has several parishes. This schism is limited to this parish only (Our information is that about 25 families--108 members in all- voted for the secession, despite tall claims on the internet.) It remains to be seen how many faithful will actually leave the Church. We hope that those contemplating "independence under no religious authority" will come to their senses soon.